January 13, 2016
U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Contributed Art
350 of these counterfeit Fitbit wristbands were seized at the Port of Philadelphia in January, U.S. Customs and Border Protection authorities say.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials seized thousands of dollars worth of counterfeit smart fitness wristbands at the Port of Philadelphia, authorities announced Tuesday.
The shipment of 350 fake Fitbit wristbands arrived in December from Hong Kong and were confiscated by authorities on Jan. 4.
The Fitbit wristband tracks user movement to provide personal health information, such as the number of steps taken, calories burned and quality of sleep.
According to the company's website, wristbands cost between $100-$250. Customs officials say the shipment they seized was valued at $35,000, based on Fitbit's suggested retails price.
“Intellectual property rights enforcement is a CBP priority trade issue, and a mission that we take very seriously," said Port of Philadelphia Director Susan Stranieri in a press release.
Trading counterfeit goods hurts American consumers and often fund organized crime, the agency says.
